In a year without a Pixar film — or "Frozen" for that matter — the animated feature Oscar race is as wide open as it's ever been. "The Lego Movie" is a sure nominee and "Big Hero 6," "The Book of Life," "How to Train Your Dragon 2" and "The Boxtrolls" all stand a solid chance, but one or more films that make the final cut this year could come from the ranks of the underdogs. Here are three strong left-field contenders:

Charming in small doses, the "Penguins of Madagascar" prove altogether less irresistible in their feature-length starring debut. The latest example of DreamWorks Animation's franchise mania is a frantic, peppy, in-your-face slice of irreverent toon...

It's hard to go wrong with penguins.
They can be elegant and emotionally engaging in real life, as the Oscar-winning documentary "March of the Penguins" beautifully captured. They can also be toe-tapping hysterical and wildly musical, as they proved...

Tom McGrath has discovered that kids believe Skipper, the tough, no-nonsense penguin he first voiced in the 2005 animated hit "Madagascar," is real.
"That is the curse of being a voice," said McGrath, who reprises the bird with a penchant for Cheezy...

NOV. 5
Interstellar
As mankind's time on Earth comes to an end, astronauts travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. With Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain and Michael Caine. Written by Jonathan Nolan and...

Benedict Cumberbatch will make his first trip to San Diego Comic-Con to promote DreamWorks Animation's feature "The Penguins of Madagascar," although he may also stick around for Warner Bros.' "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," and support Peter Jackson, who is scheduled to present the final installment of his trilogy.
In addition to Cumberbatch, who plays Agent Classified, the DWA panel for "Penguins" will also feature John Malkovich, Tom McGrath and directors Simon J. Smith and Eric Darnell....

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 276 new members into the organization on Friday -- 100 more than were included in the 2012 invitees -- including a large number of minorities and women, such as Rosario Dawson, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Peña, Danny Trejo and Chris Tucker in the actors branch.
The larger invitee list reflects the academy's recent decision to expand and diversify its ranks by relaxing a cap on membership that has restricted new admittances since...